DSG is it that good ?

[Tornado T5]

If I had a choice between 7spd DSG and new ZF 8 speed in a new Transporter I would take the ZF in a heart beat. The 6sp ZF in my Ford has been faultless and it handles 270kW and 533Nm (from 2000rpm). I could only imagine a new gen 8 speed ZF would be sensationally smooth and bugger any fuel economy difference.

[Sunny43.5]

Maybe its just me but do we really have our lives enriched by these gear boxes , I would admit that if I was going to race every hot head at the traffic lights then the quick shift would be an advantage but is it worth it for every day drivers who just want a simple system without having to adapt to the gear boxes own inbuilt quirkiness . And Buzuki I would gather you are either a VW tech or independant mechanic ? if you have not yet removed one could that be because the cost frightened the crap out of the owner and that owner decides to just live with his problem . It is what happened to me but not with a DSG ours is the 6 speed triptronic in the first released T5,s and when VW told me that if the tranny was making unusual changes and then told me because it was sealed for life they would not service it only replace $6000 plus [never went back to VW after that one ]

[Transporter]

The more gears equals better fuel economy and the smoother ride, since the engine is always in the optimal rpm's. Buzuki and others didn't remove the 7sp dsg from the T5 because there aren't many T5 with higher mileage yet. Only the time will tell.

[Sharkie]

Having lived with a DSG7 in the MV for 15 months now, I'd change it in a heartbeat to a manual ......

[greymad]

Ok I have only limited experience in a DSG but from what I have so far I would say it's sluggish from a slow start ie from a give way sign. I would say it feels like the clutch is slipping . 2011 132kw multivan.

I'll chime in here & say that I'm experiencing the same in a a 132kw T5: dunno whether to put it down to turbo lag or whatever, but where a gap in the traffic in just about any other vehicle I've driven was ok to dive into; with the current 2011 camper, it's fraught with danger.
Had the first (15,000km) service done recently - complained about the lag, and had the report that there was "no issue" with it. I find it hard to believe.
Not happy, John...

[IN2VWS]

Has yours had the software upgrade that resolved this issue?

[jfoldbar]

You still need to anticipate clutch engagement, etc to get the most out of the DSG.

i spent about 6 months with a dsg, over a couple of years, i would agree with umai naa. i think/ though it felt strange at first, but once i got used to it i can understand why some would like it. it was starting to grow on me. the one i drove was a freeby though, so i could drive it like a hire car without thought of cost etc. this may have influenced my thoughts on it. im a manual myself though because like sunny, i like to be in control of what im doing. damn curious if anyone has 4wd with dsg. i think they would be getting bogged a lot more.

[kamold]

I drove another forum members Superb TDi a little while back.
The experience with his dsg was a lot like what people describe when they have had a negative experience.
It was very hesitant at takeoff, then would be very aggressive with letting out the clutch in 1st and 2nd. Not very pleasant at all. Was like driving with a learner in a manual.
The dealer had told him it was because he was towing but after driving my car he was of the same opinion as me- there was definitely something wrong with the dsg.
Not sure what the latest is but sounds like he is having the usual problems with vwa not being proactive.
It's a shame as my experience with the A3 and now Octavia has been flawless and particularly in the A3 a lot of fun.

YMMV

[SnowMotion]

I have a 2012 T5 4motion 132kw DSG Crew Van and largely agree with the experiences expressed above.
I have only had it for about 6 weeks and have come from an auto Nissan (imported) and I thought the Nissan had issues with throttle restriction on take off by the ECU.
BUT the VW is at times much worse. On a normal take off it takes off reasonably well but certainly can feel the gearbox not fully engaging.
The worst scenario is when stopped, going quickly from the brake to the throttle to enter another road, so usually turning as well. On many occasions the van almost feels like it stops. As I am aware of this problem, I have been paying attention to what is going on and I have noticed that the rpm's are around 1800-2000 rpm before the clutch engages.
I would think this is more to do with the ECU and Gearbox ECU limiting clutch engagement based on particular parameters. These seem to be Brake pedal depressed / Steering angle.
IN2VW's, what is the software upgrade?
Cheers
Andy

[Sunny43.5]

I forgot something in relation to the DSG I think the Skoda has the same box please correct me if I,m wrong ? but last year I had to do some work in Mackay and picked up a Skoda hire car at the airport , to be quite honest I remember telling my son who was with me that the auto was at best described as weird . When you stopped and then took off it seemed to be very strange in how it reacted it would suddenly go like hell from stopped and you would have to back off . Not a pleasant drive but as some one else pointed out may be you adapt to its quirkiness over time .